I have tried laser treatments at various places before, and Step Up Skin Laser is by far my favorite. The office is spotless and beautifully decorated. The receptionists are very kind. The technicians are gentle and highly professional. They go above and beyond to ensure your comfort throughout the entire treatment. Unlike other places where I have to signal when it becomes too hot, at Step Up, they checked in multiple times to ensure I was comfortable, which I truly appreciated.
Let's start with the positives: the establishment is clean, and the technicians are friendly enough. Overall, it's decent, and my negative experiences may not be universal. However, I have to give a low rating because not only did the service fail to produce results, it had the opposite effect of what was intended. I underwent laser treatment at this facility throughout 2021 on the lower half of my face and jaw to address acne caused by a previous waxing incident in 2018 that never resolved (evidently sensitive skin). A friend suggested that the acne could be due to hair regrowth. Paradoxical hypertrichosis - a term used when the laser doesn't destroy the hair follicle as intended but instead stimulates it and even activates dormant surrounding follicles. Previously, I had a clean jawline with a few stray hairs easily plucked, but now I have dense growth - numerous coarse black hairs under my jaw. I've learned that this occurs when technicians lack expertise. They must comprehend your skin type and complexion to determine the appropriate heat level for follicle destruction. If they are not proficient or if you have a different technician each session who is unfamiliar with your case, disasters like this can happen. I sensed something was amiss during my initial session when I felt no pain from the laser (I had a painful laser experience on a different body part 2 years earlier at another facility). Months and sessions later, I noticed the increased hair growth and mentioned it to the technician, who simply acknowledged it and continued. I remained silent, trusting the process. Months after completing my sessions, I realized the treatments were ineffective. I had used a Groupon, so I was only out around $250 - you get what you pay for. It took a year for the consequences to manifest, but in 2023, the uncontrollable hair growth began. From my lower cheek to my neck, dark black hairs everywhere. I consulted a doctor for hormonal imbalances or PCOS, but nothing was found. Now, I feel more self-conscious than ever before. Regrettably, the only solution to eliminate the new hair is laser treatment, which is a daunting prospect. This time, I'll have to spend $2,000 on a dermatological professional, which I should have done initially. What if the new hair growth recurs? I feel trapped in a cycle of repeated laser treatments that either yield no improvement or worsen the situation. My body
This establishment is impeccably maintained and offers top-notch service. I visited for a small tattoo removal and underwent 3 sessions with their laser equipment. The results are already visible - the tattoo is beginning to fade. Their scheduling system is user-friendly and efficient, never encountered any issues. The staff members are courteous and polite. They also provide numbing gel before each session, a nice touch. My treatment specialist was Elena - extremely satisfied with her expertise, very professional and knowledgeable. One aspect I wish this establishment would improve on is its pricing. The initial 3 sessions for my 5sq. inch tattoo were discounted, which I appreciated. I would like to have an additional 5 or 6 sessions, but the most affordable option presented to me was to become a member for 6 months and then cancel with an extra fee. This package would cost around $700, which I find too expensive for a small tattoo removal. Apart from that, definitely a great studio.
18 W 33rd St #2, New York, NY 10001, United States
I have tried laser treatments at various places before, and Step Up Skin Laser is by far my favorite. The office is spotless and beautifully decorated. The receptionists are very kind. The technicians are gentle and highly professional. They go above and beyond to ensure your comfort throughout the entire treatment. Unlike other places where I have to signal when it becomes too hot, at Step Up, they checked in multiple times to ensure I was comfortable, which I truly appreciated.
Let's start with the positives: the establishment is clean, and the technicians are friendly enough. Overall, it's decent, and my negative experiences may not be universal. However, I have to give a low rating because not only did the service fail to produce results, it had the opposite effect of what was intended. I underwent laser treatment at this facility throughout 2021 on the lower half of my face and jaw to address acne caused by a previous waxing incident in 2018 that never resolved (evidently sensitive skin). A friend suggested that the acne could be due to hair regrowth. Paradoxical hypertrichosis - a term used when the laser doesn't destroy the hair follicle as intended but instead stimulates it and even activates dormant surrounding follicles. Previously, I had a clean jawline with a few stray hairs easily plucked, but now I have dense growth - numerous coarse black hairs under my jaw. I've learned that this occurs when technicians lack expertise. They must comprehend your skin type and complexion to determine the appropriate heat level for follicle destruction. If they are not proficient or if you have a different technician each session who is unfamiliar with your case, disasters like this can happen. I sensed something was amiss during my initial session when I felt no pain from the laser (I had a painful laser experience on a different body part 2 years earlier at another facility). Months and sessions later, I noticed the increased hair growth and mentioned it to the technician, who simply acknowledged it and continued. I remained silent, trusting the process. Months after completing my sessions, I realized the treatments were ineffective. I had used a Groupon, so I was only out around $250 - you get what you pay for. It took a year for the consequences to manifest, but in 2023, the uncontrollable hair growth began. From my lower cheek to my neck, dark black hairs everywhere. I consulted a doctor for hormonal imbalances or PCOS, but nothing was found. Now, I feel more self-conscious than ever before. Regrettably, the only solution to eliminate the new hair is laser treatment, which is a daunting prospect. This time, I'll have to spend $2,000 on a dermatological professional, which I should have done initially. What if the new hair growth recurs? I feel trapped in a cycle of repeated laser treatments that either yield no improvement or worsen the situation. My body
This establishment is impeccably maintained and offers top-notch service. I visited for a small tattoo removal and underwent 3 sessions with their laser equipment. The results are already visible - the tattoo is beginning to fade. Their scheduling system is user-friendly and efficient, never encountered any issues. The staff members are courteous and polite. They also provide numbing gel before each session, a nice touch. My treatment specialist was Elena - extremely satisfied with her expertise, very professional and knowledgeable. One aspect I wish this establishment would improve on is its pricing. The initial 3 sessions for my 5sq. inch tattoo were discounted, which I appreciated. I would like to have an additional 5 or 6 sessions, but the most affordable option presented to me was to become a member for 6 months and then cancel with an extra fee. This package would cost around $700, which I find too expensive for a small tattoo removal. Apart from that, definitely a great studio.